[FILM REVIEW] SECRET: UNTOLD MELODY (2025)

Ever wondered what happens when a piano prodigy meets a mysterious melody, played by a girl that captivates his heart? Enter Secret: Untold Melody, the Korean adaptation of Jay Chou‘s 2007 classic romance, Secret. With Do Kyung-soo (our beloved D.O. from EXO) and the talented Won Jin-ah leading the cast, this film promises a symphony of emotions with a flair of fantasy. It features excellent storytelling, served with a side of suspense — it is only a matter of time before you find yourself immersed and swept away in the plot.

Meet Kim Yu-jun (Do Kyung-soo), a pianist whose soaring career hits a slump due to a wrist injury. Deciding to take a break and return to Korea, he enrolls in his father’s music academy, where fate leads him to an old practice room. There, he encounters Yoo Jung-a (Won Jin-ah), a fellow musician with an enigmatic aura. As their melodies intertwine, Yu-jun quickly discovers that Jung-a is harboring a secret — one big enough to threaten their love forever.

A Familiar Tune with a Fresh Arrangement

For those who’ve cherished the original Secret, this remake stays true to its roots while infusing a modern Korean flair. The iconic piano battles? They are back and just as electrifying, each riff leaving audiences wow-ed in their seats. The film also updates character dynamics to resonate with today’s audience, offering a fresh perspective on a beloved tale.

Kyung-soo is as good an actor as ever, delivering a performance that is both heartfelt and musically impressive, especially considering that he reportedly had no prior experience reading sheet music. His portrayal of Yu-jun’s journey — from despair to rediscovering passion — is both authentic and moving, allowing the audience to feel deeply for his character despite the short duration of the show.

Won Jin-ah complements him beautifully, embodying Jung-a’s mystery and depth.

Father-Son Dynamics

While the show does tackle serious themes like coming-of-age, first-loves, and career slumps, these are beautifully balanced with interjections of comedy. The interactions between Yu-jun and his father, Professor Yu, (Bae Seong-woo) are lighthearted and honestly hilarious. The close relationship between father and son, something that is seen to be quite rare, is painted beautifully through their banter and ability to be straightforward with each other.

The father-son chemistry is refreshing — we hope to see the pair on screen together more often from now on!

Review

While the film hits many high notes, some viewers may feel that the relationship between Yu-jun and Jung-a lacks sufficient build-up. Their interactions, though poignant, may seem rushed at times, leaving the audience craving more moments that showcase their growing bond.

It is probably love at first sight for Yu-jun and Jung-a, as they find themselves drawn to each other without fail. Their cute interactions had the audience flailing in their seats. The spark between Yu-jun and Jung-a will have everyone waiting in anticipation for more of their scenes, their love story more reminiscent of a puppy love story. It would have been fun to see the couple going through the usual ups and downs of a relationship.

In the second half of the movie, when the genre of the movie leans more towards mystery, the tension between the couple becomes more evident. Resembling the struggles of a real-life student couple who fell in love for the first time, it is interesting to watch how Yu-jun and Jung-a skirt around the elephant in the room, all in an attempt to preserve the precious feelings they have for one another. At least, that is until push comes to shove as they are forced to address reality.

Ye-eun is a great actress as well, portraying a vibrant and outgoing second-lead actress as In Hee. It is fun to see her interactions with Kyung Soo’s character as she finds herself getting more and more infatuated with Yu-jun. However, what happens when she crosses the line?

The Big Reveal (No Spoilers!)

Everyone spent a great portion of the movie exercising their brains, trying to crack the mystery behind Jung-a while admiring Kyung-soo’s visuals. It was initially suspected that it had something to do with the supernatural, but… Watch the movie and find out!

Overall, it was a cute movie, with a pretty well-thought-out storyline!

Valentine’s Day is over, but love is still in the air! Want to find out the secret that Jung-a is holding on so tightly to? Or what fate awaits this couple? Click on the link below to book your tickets now!

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Running Time: 103 minutes
The Seoul Story’s Rating: 4.5/5

Written by: Anna Wong
Photos by: Purple Plan SG

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